Pastrami, salami, and other meats worth dying early for. Part 1.
Never leave home without a scale
The OJM Value Guide Desk visited four of NYC’s most decent delis for an exclusive investigative report. In our research we zeroed in on two key menu items: the pastrami sandwich and matzoh ball soup.
After our Cheesecake Factory menu analysis, we learned that the most efficient way to evaluate a restaurant is by using the tried and true calorie/dollar system.
As you probably know, delis refuse to publish nutritional data. Can you blame them? When we asked the 2nd Ave Deli in Midtown if we could see their calorie data they said, “Doesn’t exist -- this is a Jewish deli. Let’s just say the pastrami sandwich counts for a week of weight watchers points.”
Fair enough.
We figured that deli nutritional data is probably pretty similar across the board, so all that matters is quantity. The bottom line: what kind of bang for your buck are we getting in our Pastrami and matzoh balls?
With that in mind, we went to the deli armed with nothing but a big appetite and a scale.
Delis:
Liebman’s Deli (The Bronx)
Hours: 11am-9pm
Service: 8
Ambience: 9
Kashrut: Self Certification - Yuval Dekel
Bonus value: Pickles and coleslaw with sandwich
There’s something ridiculous about traveling so far just to get some deli. All you can think is, boy, this place better be good. Liebman’s doesn't disappoint. It’s a slice of heimishe Manhattan that isn’t around much anymore.
On the way up there, someone asked where we were going. When we mentioned Liebman’s they immediately said, “Go to Katz’s. They catered my baby shower!”
Yeah, yeah, yeah. Everybody knows Katz’s. But few know the quiet joys of Liebman’s.
Pastrami Queen (UES)
Hours: 10am-9pm
Service: 7
Ambience: 7
Kashrut: BEHR Kosher Supervision
Bonus value: Pickles with sandwich
Claims: “Zagat Rated; The Best Pastrami Anywhere”
Not sure what to make of getting the table in the narrow hallway right next to the bathroom…sure, there’s quick toilet access post-pastrami, but what happens when a kid is in there for 20 minutes blowing mud and you gotta inhale the fumes when he leaves? No good.
The waiter twice referred to the pastrami as both “the best in the world” and “world famous”. However, when we asked for water he steered us towards bottled. What is this, a European cafe? Gimme a break.
All said and done, Pastrami Queen definitely has the best rugs in the biz.
2nd Ave Deli (Midtown East)
Hours: 11am-8pm
Service: 7
Ambience: 8
Kashrut: International Kosher Council (when we asked David, 43, from New Jersey at the next table over what he thought of the Kosher certification, he said it’s “good enough for me”.)
Bonus value: Pickles and coleslaw and a shot of cream soda after the meal
Claims: “We smoke our own Pastrami, cure our Corned Beef and Tongue and think you’ll agree when you taste it no finer meat anywhere.”
Other notes: Winner of the best deli font
Katz’s Deli (LES)
Hours: 8am-11pm (Friday until midnight, all day Saturday and Sunday until 11pm)
Service: 8 (non existent waiter service)
Ambience: 8 (touristy, clogged lines)
Kashrut: N/A
Bonus value: Free pastrami samples
As we were conducting our research, a friendly Swiss woman at the adjacent table commented, “Excuse me, what are you doing? Is that for the calories?” We informed her that we are actually doing important research.
Stay tuned for Part Two: matzo balls, and Part Three: the official OJM pastrami weigh-in.